Electrical Systems Technician

In almost every industry, there is a need for electrical and electronic systems technicians. For that reason, the job outlook for electrical and electronic systems technicians is fairly steady, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

What Does An Electrical Systems Technician Tech Do?

As a trained electrical or electronics systems technician—also referred to by the BLS as “Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians”—you will be addressing problems with complex electrical or electronic components. You will be trained to use tools that determine what needs to be done to bring faulty systems back to life.

Just about everything in use today relies in one way or another on electricity and electronics. So when you’re training to be an electrical and electronics systems technician, you will learn how to do updates, repairs, or installations of electrical and electronic equipment on construction sites, in residential settings, in factories, or other industrial locations.

Once trained, you can expect to apply your electrical and electronic systems knowledge to work with home theater, audio, video, home alarm and security systems, intercoms, fiber optic telecoms, computer networking and wireless systems.

The BLS description of this career states in many cases that you’ll also “help engineers design and develop computers, communications equipment, medical monitoring devices, navigational equipment."

“They often work in product evaluation and testing, and use measuring and diagnostic devices to adjust, test, and repair equipment. They are also involved in the manufacture and deployment of equipment for automation.”

You may work full time in factories or repair shops. Others may decide to freelance.

Required Electrical Systems Technician Schooling

To become an electrical systems technician, the minimum requirement is an associate degree or certificate from a local electrical trade school.

Coursework

The coursework covers personal electronic equipment to larger commercial products. You will learn basic concepts of electrical theory, and about electrical quantities, resistors, circuits, measuring instruments, and more.

Classes

Your classes will teach you how to work with low-voltage electronic systems, about installation, troubleshooting, and repair. Other expected courses include but are not limited to:

• Circuitry
• Fiber optics
• Computer programming
• National, state, and local regulations
• Building codes
• Safety practices

The Skills You'll Learn

Finally, you can expect to develop skills in cable preparation, handling, termination, and testing. You will have to learn how to troubleshoot today’s digital systems and networks.

How Long Is School?

To earn an associate degree will take a minimum of two years, while earning a trade school certification or diploma will take approximately one year.

How Much Does An Electrical Systems Technician Make?

The average yearly salary for electrical and electronics engineering technicians was $74,440 in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, the BLS states that the top 10 percent of electrical systems technicians made an average of $105,320 or more.

Find a local electrical technician trade school now.

Reference:

Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians on BLS